Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.,Service connection was granted for anxiety disorder, basal cell cancer of the nose, and arthritis, facet joint L5-S1.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be service-connected. The right knee and wrist disabilities are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for her lower back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and major depressive disorder have been denied. The issue of reopening the claim for major depressive disorder has also been addressed.

The Veteran does not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for additional residuals of a right eye injury secondary to service-connected macular scarring. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected asthma and other disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance of another or specially adapted housing. The Board found that the primary cause of the need for aid and attendance is due to non-service-connected COPD, rather than service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain VA examinations for the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and right toe injury claims. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not attributable to his active military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a psychiatric disorder, and a stomach condition. The decision also noted that the Veteran's claim for secondary service connection was denied as a matter of law due to his denial of service connection for the underlying psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are pending.

The Board has vacated the previous decision and remanded the cases for further review due to new evidence submitted after the last SSOC.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to provide the Veteran with a new VA examination and opinion regarding his bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, as the current evidence is insufficient for an informed decision.